Lymphadenopathy is a condition in which the lymph nodes are swollen or enlarged. Lymph nodes are scattered in many parts of the body and are part of the immune system, which helps the body fight viruses or bacteria that can harm health.
The following are places where lymph nodes are located in this part of the body:
- Armpit
- Chin
- behind the ear
- Neck
- Groin
- back of head
Basically the lymph nodes can increase in size. However, the increase in size has a normal limit. Normal size varies from person to person, depending on age, lymph node location, and the person's own immune system.
Symptoms of Lymphadenopathy
Lymphadenopathy causes symptoms in the form of swelling or enlarged lymph nodes. The swelling can be identified by the appearance of a lump under the skin, which may or may not be painful.
In addition to lumps, people with lymphadenopathy can also feel other symptoms. Other symptoms that appear can vary, depending on the cause, the location of the swollen lymph nodes, and the patient's condition. Among others are:
- skin rash
- Weak
- Fever
- Sweating at night
- Weight loss
Immediately see a doctor if swollen lymph nodes are experienced:
- Appears for no apparent reason.
- It keeps getting bigger and has been going on for more than 2 weeks.
- Firm texture and does not move when shaken.
In some cases, people with lymphadenopathy have no symptoms. However, it would be better if the patient had regular check-ups.
Causes of Lymphadenopathy
Lymphadenopathy can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:
- Infection, such as ear infections, infections of the teeth or gums (such as gingivitis), pharyngitis, skin infections, measles, mononucleosis, tuberculosis, HIV.
- autoimmune disease, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Cancer, such as lymphoma and leukemia.
- drug use, such as anticonvulsants (eg phenytoin) or typhoid vaccine.
Lymphadenopathy can also be caused by other conditions not listed above. Immediately see a doctor if you feel symptoms of lymphadenopathy.
Diagnosis of Lymphadenopathy
In diagnosing the condition, the doctor will initially examine the history of the disease and the symptoms that appear. The doctor will conduct a question-and-answer session, asking the patient questions regarding the condition they are suffering from, such as how and since when the swollen lymph nodes have been experienced. Then the doctor will conduct an examination in the form of observations of the size and texture of the lump.
After that, medical procedures can also be carried out to confirm the patient's condition. Some of the procedures used to diagnose lymphadenopathy include:
- Blood test. The doctor will run a complete blood count test or complete blood count (CBC) for possible infection.
- CT scan or MRI. Both of these tests can be performed with a prior injection of a contrast dye. Tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies to these substances. This scan is used to detect the source of infection as well as tumors.
- Biopsy. The doctor will take a sample of the problem lymph node, and then it will be examined under a microscope.
Lymphadenopathy Treatment
Treatment should be tailored to the cause, the location of the swollen lymph nodes, and the patient's condition. In some cases, lymphadenopathy will go away on its own.
- Infection. Treatment for infection depends on the type of infection itself. Bacterial infection is one of the causes of lymphadenopathy. Treatment of lymphadenopathy caused by a bacterial infection can be done with antibiotics.
- Autoimmune disease. If swollen lymph nodes are caused by an autoimmune disease, such as: rheumatoid arthritis, then treatment can be done using immunosuppressive drugs, such as corticosteroids. For the pain you feel, you can give pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
- Cancer. Treatment of lymphadenopathy caused by cancer is done by treating the cancer itself. Depending on the type of cancer and the patient's condition, treatment methods that can be used to treat cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.
Consult a doctor regarding the appropriate treatment method in dealing with lymphadenopathy. Improper treatment can worsen the condition and lead to complications of the disease.
In addition to the above treatment, lymphadenopathy patients can also make efforts that can be done at home to relieve symptoms of pain that appear, such as:
- Compress the problem area with warm water.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol. Consult the use of drugs with a doctor.
- Enough rest.
Complications
Complications that can arise from lymphadenopathy can be different, depending on the underlying cause. If this condition is caused by infection, complications can occur in the form of abscesses and sepsis.